About

OPHELIA'S REVENGE: Shakespeare's Ophelia is back for blood

$3,049

pledged of $2,800 goal

97

backers

A scorned lover (with a flair for the dramatic) unleashes Shakespeare’s Ophelia, a vengeful spirit which goes on to wreak bloody havoc on a modern-day Renaissance festival. A ghoulish celebration of #Shakespeare400! Help us bring Ophelia (back) to life!

ACHIEVED! Backers at $7+ will get a PDF copy of the original SHAKESPEARE SHAKEN comic anthology if stay at $3001 before our deadline!

Ophelia's Revenge cover, art by Alex Clark and Jan Velazquez

What's in the box!?

Can you say "Personal Space?"

No swimming!

Ophelia rises!

Is this Part of the Show?

Ex-CUSE me?!

Don't get choked up...

THAT look is never a good sign...

Look out behind you!

Watch your step...

The horror! The horror!

Inspired by Laura Guzzo's original art of the same name, OPHELIA'S REVENGE is a one-shot comic: 20 story pages, full color, to be published digitally and in print.

Overgrown with gore, violence, and dark humor, this comic is an homage to the cheeky, bloody horror popularized in classic anthologies like Eerie, Tales From The Crypt, and Vault of Horror. And of course, The Bard himself, William Shakespeare, who gave up the ghost 400 years ago this year!

This project has become a full-circle homecoming, and I couldn't be happier: my very first comic was published as part of Red Stylo Media's original Shakespeare Shaken anthology alongside Laura Guzzo's original piece (see above), and if we're funded, OPHELIA'S REVENGE will have a publishing home with my friends at RSM.

I am also excited to be collaborating with two more Red Stylo alums, artist Alex Clark, and colorist Jan Velazquez, for the first time. Production is already underway (as you can see from our preview of pages above), but we need funding from this campaign to help cover the cost of art and production. The seeds have been planted, but we need your help to make them grow!

Ophelia (Flower enthusiast. Murderous swamp demon): Formerly Hamlet’s main squeeze, Ophelia was driven to madness and suicide by the procrastinating prince’s perverse pantomimes. Now, she has returned to unleash nature’s fury in the name of all women scorned.

Jean (Aspiring actress. Mother of all salty ex-girlfriends): Obsessive and slightly unhinged, Jean indulges in drama both on- and off-stage. Jilted by a former lover, she goes looking for a little magical payback. Things don’t go as planned.

Larry (Avid gamer. Deceitful D-Bag): Like Danny Zuko (minus the style), Larry just wanted some “summer lovin’” before heading off to college and the strenuous grind of frat parties and all-night game sessions. But the consequences of dumping Jean will tear him apart…in more ways than one.

Miranda (Amateur witch. Shouldn’t quit her day job): The youngest of three witchy-sisters, Miranda tells fortunes while selling the occasional love potion and curse on the side. But, after taking on Jean as a client and unwittingly unleashing Ophelia on the local Ren Faire, she begins to rethink her career choices.

Laura Guzzo (Original Concept) is a freelance illustrator whose award-winning artwork has been featured in galleries across the east coast. In 2011, she was voted one of Philadelphia’s Top 5 Visual Artists. She draws inspiration from tarot cards and stained glass, as well as from 1950’s pin-up girls and the art nouveau movement. Laura currently works out of a studio in New Jersey. To see more, visit: LauraGuzzoArt.com

James McGee (Writer) writes comics and prose. His work has been featured in various Red Stylo Media anthologies, as well as This Mutant Life, Fireside Magazine, and Super Flash Fiction. He is also an editor with Red Stylo Media. James lives in West Virginia with his wife, Laura, and an ever-growing army of cats. Visit his blog for a bibliography and occasional ramblings.

Alex Clark (Artist) is an Art Director and Illustrator living outside Columbus, OH, with his wife and two sons. He has been creating graphics for the retail industry for the past 15 years and in his spare time illustrating children's books and comics. Alex has worked with Red Stylo before on the Harvey Award Nominated 27 Club, A Comic Anthology. For more information, and to see Alex's work, visit alexmclark.blogspot.com or like him on Facebook: facebook.com/alexmichaelclarkdesigns

Jan Velazquez (Colorist) has been dedicated to art since he was a child and since 2009 has become a well rounded, self taught comic artist. His adaptability and love for creating art has made him strive to never stop learning. https://www.facebook.com/ReturnOfTheLivingJAN/

A few of the rewards are listed here. Check out the complete list to the right!

Rue For You reward: Your very own curse! Get a mystic bottle from Echo Jewelry and Gifts, containing a hand-written, personalized curse for you (or the no good scoundrel who scorned you.)

"Ophelia's Revenge" get the print, or get the original cover art by Laura Guzzo!

"The Ass Man" Shakespeare-inspired art by Laura Guzzo

"Try Ear Poison" Hamlet-inspired art by Laura Guzzo

"Detective Horatio" Hamlet-inspired art by Laura Guzzo

Risks and challenges

The production team is already at work on the comic, and their work is not contingent on this funding, but funds from this campaign go toward completing this project, and toward the cost of printing, shipping the comic and all rewards.

Production on OPHELIA'S REVENGE is well underway, and will conclude in November of this year. I am partnering with Red Stylo Media on this project, who have a proven track record in comics (both on Kickstarter and on their own--just check out their back-catalog!), and have collaborated with this printer in the past. The quality of their product is OUTSTANDING, and the print order will be placed within days of funding.

While our print order is being run, Red Stylo’s team will prep rewards for shipping, including comics codes and PDFs. We have chosen rewards and shipping options within our regular production budget and the cost of these items has been considered and accounted for.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $25 or more
About $25

Bed of Roses

A printed copy of the comic, plus your choice of a 12x18 Shakespeare-themed print from Laura Guzzo. Choose from: "Try Ear Poison", "Detective Horatio", or "Legend of the Ass" Man. Includes a PDF copy of the comic (story only, no back matter).

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $75 or more
About $75

Rue for You

Your very own curse! Get a mystic bottle from Echo Jewelry and Gifts, containing a hand-written, personalized curse for you (or the no good scoundrel who scorned you.) Please note, it's all in good fun and (as Lady Miranda would say) for entertainment purposes only. Includes a print copy of the full color comic!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $75 or more
About $75

DE-FLOWERED (2 of 3 LIMITED REWARD)

**FINAL DAYS BONUS REWARD**

**Final days of the campaign, we're giving 3 spots away for special half-off!** You don't have to choose with this mega pack--get everything in the NEW GROWTH, BOUQUET OF ROSES, and GREEN THUMB rewards! 1 backer will get:
* Set of 4 Ophelia postcards
*Set of 4 posters by Laura Guzzo
* A 3x5" sketchcard by Alex Clark
*A SIGNED printed copy of "Ophelia's Revenge."

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

Garden Party

Travel back in time with writer, James McGee (dressed in full Bard regalia), and artist, Alex Clark, with a visit to the Ohio Renaissance Festival in Waynesville, OH. Enjoy the costumes, crafts, entertainment and, of course, giant turkey legs! But, "faire" warning: if any swamp demons show up, you're on your own. James and Alex are renowned cowards and knaves.

The meet-up will happen October 1, 2016, on the fairgrounds, but this tier is open to backers local to Waynesville, Ohio, or anyone willing to travel for this event.

This tier is limited to 8 people! Includes a signed copy of the deluxe print edition of Ophelia's Revenge, all stretch goal rewards, and your name in the special thanks! Must be 18-years-old or over, or accompanied by a parent. (Parents who bring kids will need to pledge an additional $50/child. Travel costs to/from this event are not included.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $150 or more
About $150

Garden Party + Dinner

In addition to the ren faire, have dinner with the creators! First, Travel back in time with writer, James McGee, and artist, Alex Clark, with a visit to the Ohio Renaissance Festival (http://www.renfestival.com/) in Waynesville, OH. Enjoy the costumes, crafts, entertainment and, of course, giant turkey legs! But, "faire" warning: if any swamp demons show up, you're on your own. James and Alex are renowned cowards and knaves.

Then, if the giant turkey legs aren't enough, enjoy a prix fixe dinner with the creators at a surprise location, where you can chat comics, Shakespeare, and all things merry.

The meet-up will happen [September 2016 TBD] on the fairgrounds, but this tier is open to backers local to Waynesville, or anyone willing to travel for this event.

This tier is limited to 8 people! Includes a signed copy of the deluxe print edition of Ophelia's Revenge, all stretch goal rewards, and your name in the special thanks! Must be 21 and over, or accompanied by a parent. (Parents who bring kids will need to pledge an additional $50/child. Travel costs to/from this event are not included.)